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The Hospitality of Travennes.
Mr.Buck Peters rode into Alkaline one bright September morning and sought refreshment at the Emporium.

Mr.Peters had just finished some business for his employer and felt the satisfaction that comes with the knowledge of work well done.

He expected to remain in Alkaline for several days, where he was to be joined by two of his friends and punchers, Mr.Hopalong Cassidy and Mr.Red Connors, both of whom were at Cactus Springs, seventy miles to the east.

Mr.Cassidy and his friend had just finished a nocturnal tour of Santa Fe and felt somewhat peevish and dull in consequence, not to mention the sadness occasioned by the expenditure of the greater part of their combined capital on such foolishness as faro, roulette and wet-goods.
Mr.Peters and his friends had sought wealth in the Black Hills, where they had enthusiastically disfigured the earth in the fond expectation of uncovering vast stores of virgin gold.